Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is one of the most popular aesthetic treatments because it can give the most drastic results. The nasal hump can be removed. The tip can be narrowed. Breathing can be improved. Lumps and bumps can be reduced. The nostril size can be reduced. With rhinoplasty the lip can have a longer or short appearance depending on if you make the nose bigger or smaller. The rotation of the nasal tip can be adjusted and contoured.

Chicago Rhinoplasty Procedure

Step One: Preparation Before the Rhinoplasty Procedure

Preparation is the first and one of the most important steps of a rhinoplasty procedure – no plastic surgeon will undertake the procedure unless you’re 100% prepared.

Before the procedure, you’ll talk with your plastic surgeon about the procedure, what you can expect, and how you should prepare in advance. Any risks for your age and health will be discussed, and you can talk about any concerns that you may have with the procedure.

Step Two: Administering the Anesthesia

The rhinoplasty procedure will begin with the administration of anesthesia. This will make you much more comfortable during the procedure and make sure that any pain is kept to an absolute minimum.

There are two types of anesthesia that are commonly used, general anesthesia and intravenous sedation. General anesthesia will put you to sleep during the procedure while intravenous sedation used in conjunction with a local anesthesia will ensure that the surgery is not stressful or painful.

Step Three: Making the Incision

Once the anesthesia has taken affect, the main part of the procedure will begin. This starts with the incision, a process that will be slightly different depending on whether you’re having a closed procedure or an open procedure.

A closed procedure is where an incision inside the nose is made, while an open procedure is where an incision between the nostrils is made (the columella). During this stage, and every stage involved in the main parts of the procedure, you will be monitored to ensure that your body is responding properly to the surgery.

Step Four: Reshaping the Structure of the Nose

The incision allows your plastic surgeon to move onto the next step of the procedure, where the nose is reshaped. During this stage, the plastic surgeon will reshape the nose to achieve the kind of shape that you would have discussed in the preparation stage.

In many instances of a deviated septum, the nose may be straightened, or reshaping may be undertaken to help breathing. In other procedures, the size of the nose may be reduced, or a graft may be required to reshape the nose.

Reductions are often achieved by removing cartilage or bone from the nose, whilst grafts can require cartilage to be grafted from either the septum, rib, or ear, depending on what you discussed during preparation.

Step Five: Closing the Incisions

After your plastic surgeon has reshaped your nose, the next step is the closure of the initial incisions made to your nose. During this stage, adjustments may also be made to the size and shape of your nostrils, which is normally achieved with further small incisions. All incisions will be stitched closed, so that they can start to heal.

Step Six: Supporting the Nose

The closure of the incisions marks the end of the surgical procedure, where your nose will then be properly dressed to help support it and encourage fast and effective healing. Normally the support comes in the form of gauze, which can further be supported by a splint.

In the wake of the procedure, you will be monitored for a short time to make sure that your body has coped well with the surgery. Once the surgeon is happy with your immediate recovery, you’ll be able to return home. In some cases, an overnight stay may be required at the surgery, but this is quite rare.

Step Seven: The Recovery Period

The final step of a rhinoplasty procedure is recovery, a step that can take varying amounts of time depending on the extent of the procedure and the health of the patient. The area around the nose should be treated carefully during this time as there will likely be a number of symptoms of the surgery like swelling, tenderness, and bleeding.

Your plastic surgeon will talk you through your recovery period, and make sure you know what to avoid after surgery. There will also need to be a follow-up examination around a week after the surgery to make sure you’re doing well, and to remove the support that was applied to your nose after the surgery.

Then all you need to do is wait until your nose has fully recovered and enjoy the results!